International Mother Language Day, observed annually on February 21, commemorates linguistic diversity and aims to preserve minority languages, a crucial aspect of global efforts to prevent extinction.
Language Day 2024: The annual observance of International Mother Language Day takes place on February 21. It commemorates linguistic and cultural diversity and was initially under the direction of UNESCO. The world boasts over 7,000 languages, each with varying degrees of documentation and usage.
Unfortunately, many ethnic languages, spoken by minority groups, are at risk of extinction within the coming decades. International Mother Language Day is pivotal in preserving linguistic heritage and fostering global efforts towards this goal.
UNESCO established International Mother Language in 1999, and the first celebration took place in 2000, marking the origins of Language Day. The Bengali Language Movement served as the inspiration for this initiative, intending to establish Bengali as the official language of what was formerly East Pakistan, now known as Bangladesh.
The movement, born in the early 1950s, faced significant challenges, culminating in a tragic event in 1952 when police opened fire on a procession, resulting in fatalities and injuries. The designation of February 21 as a national holiday in Bengal eventually led to its recognition as International Mother Language Day by the United Nations. This day serves as a tribute to the struggle for language preservation and aims to prevent the extinction of languages worldwide.
Over the years, each International Mother Language Day has had a specific theme, focusing on educational initiatives to preserve indigenous languages and promote language acquisition. What began as a commemoration of the Bengali Language Movement has evolved into a global campaign to celebrate linguistic diversity.
Approximately 4,000 of the 7,000 languages are documented.
Mandarin Chinese has the highest number of native speakers, while English is the most widely spoken language overall.
Languages like Chinese, German, Russian, and Arabic are considered among the most difficult to master.
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Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2024 | February 21 | Wednesday |
2025 | February 21 | Friday |
2026 | February 21 | Saturday |
2027 | February 21 | Sunday |
2028 | February 21 | Monday |
International Mother Language Day 2024: Ways to Celebrate, Facts and Significance
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